Read Time: 04 minutes

Synopsis

The Allahabad High Court has asked the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh to issue guidelines for Advocates to refrain from wearing uniforms outside the court premises.

The bench of Justices Sangeeta Chandra and Narendra Kumar Johari noted that several cases are being filed before the court wherein allegations are that advocates in uniform go to intervene in private property disputes and assist the land mafia in grabbing the property of citizens.

The division bench asked the advocate appearing on behalf of the council to inform it of the same. 

The directions were issued in a criminal writ petition filed by a local lawyer Subhanshu Singh. Singh had claimed that in September of this year, he was assaulted by fellow lawyers in the Civil Court premises in Lucknow. Seeking an independent investigation into the matter, Singh had informed the court that he had filed an FIR related to the incident and thereafter, he was facing constant threats from the private respondents, some of whom had a history of anti-social activities according to police records.

Taking note of Singh's plea, court directed the counsel representing State Respondents, the Additional Government Advocate (AGA), to inform the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police of the relevant area about the writ petition. The AGA was also directed to seek instructions regarding actions taken in response to Singh's FIR.

Additionally, court directed the Senior Registrar of the High Court to send a copy of the writ petition to the District Judge in Lucknow for the purpose to obtain comments on the measures taken following Singh's letter dated September 25, 2023, requesting the preservation of C.C.T.V. footage from the court area where the alleged incident of assault on him occurred.

The matter is scheduled for further hearing on November 28, 2023.

CaseTitle: Subhansu Singh v. State of UP and Others